Health law info scarce for non-English speakers

Many parts of the new health care law are hard enough to understand, even for English speakers.

Associated Press

Many parts of the new health care law are hard enough to understand, even for English speakers.

The information gap is even more difficult when trying to reach diverse populations in which English is not the primary language. The problem is particularly acute in states like Kansas that have opposed the federal health care overhaul.

Kansas meatpacking plants have drawn immigrants from numerous countries. Census figures show the state has more than 186,000 residents who primarily speak Spanish at home. Thousands more speak German, French, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese or some other language at home.

Kansas has opted to let the feds establish the state's health insurance marketplace, returning a $31.5 million grant.

Some private groups have tried to fill some of the information void, but their resources often fall short.